Method and positionable patient-interface apparatus for an mri system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for imaging a patient in an MRI system. This includes a frame, and at least one assembly that includes a patient-interface positioner connected to a reference position on the frame, a first lockable joint on the positioner; and a patient interface connected to a patient-proximal end of the positioner by a second joint, wherein the first patient-interface is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle, a selected yaw angle, and a selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the reference position on the frame. The first lockable joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patient-interface at the selected pitch and yaw angles, and at the selected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position. Optionally a second substantially similar patient-interface and assembly are provided. The earpiece(s) optionally include audio transducer(s) and/or RF coil(s).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority benefit, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), ofU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/906,409 filed Nov. 19, 2013by Brandon J. Tramm, titled “Method and apparatus for adjustableearpieces in an MRI system,” which is incorporated herein by referencein its entirety.

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/538,635 filed Nov. 11, 2014 by Brandon J. Tramm, titled “Method andapparatus for adjustable earpieces in an MRI system,” which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of mechanical positioners and morespecifically to a method and apparatus for adjustable positioning andinterfacing in a magnetic-resonance-imaging (MRI) system that can beattached to a head coil (in particular, in systems customized forpediatric imaging), in order to position patient-holding interfaces on apatient for gently restraining the patient to a single position andorientation (optionally including audio headphones for delivery of audiocontent; while in other embodiments, optionally including RF coils fortransmitting and/or receiving RF MRI information, and in otherembodiments, optionally including embedded fluid passageways to controltemperature (e.g., to cool or warm the tissue of the patient), fluidpassageways to deliver liquids to drink and/or gasses to breathe, and/orto hold electrodes against the skin of the patient) and, in someembodiments, mechanisms for adjusting the position and characteristicsof the coil (such as RF tuning and impedance matching of the RF coilsattached to the ear pieces) electrically and/or mechanically. In someembodiments, a substantially similar unit to the patient-holdinginterfaces is used to vary the position of RF coils and then yieldablylock the RF coil and/or other interfaces in the desired position andorientation in RF-coil systems and units for other parts of the bodybesides the head.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The problem: During MRI procedures, delivering audio has been cumbersomedue to sloppy headphone-to-patient interface provided by conventionalheadband-type earphones. This conventional device also introduces moreforeign objects into the imaging cavity and also increases the distancebetween the patient and the imaging surface. This reduces the efficiencyof the images and increases patient discomfort. These problems arefurther worsened when performing MRI scans on children. Childrentypically tend to move around more than adult subjects during scans.Therefore, it is important to deliver sound to occupy the child patientbeing scanned. It is important to have a large degree of adjustabilityto accommodate the various ranges of patient ear locations. Movement isalso an issue and it is important to restrain the patient's headmovements as much as possible without fully restricting an emergencyevacuation of the patient from the MRI system.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,854,042, titled “METHOD AND COILS FOR HUMAN WHOLE-BODYIMAGING AT 7 T,” filed 5 Aug. 2011 and issued 9 Feb. 2012 to John ThomasVaughan, Jr. and Charles A. Lemaire, is incorporated herein byreference. U.S. Pat. No. 8,854,042 describes MRI coils for humanwhole-body MR imaging. A progressive series of five new coils isdescribed. The first coil solves problems of transmit-field inefficiencyand inhomogeneity for heart and body imaging, with a close-fitting,16-channel TEM conformal array design with efficient shield-capacitancedecoupling. The second coil progresses directly from the first withautomatic tuning and matching, an innovation of huge importance formulti-channel transmit coils. The third coil combines the second,auto-tuned multichannel transmitter with a 32-channel receiver for besttransmit-efficiency, control, receive sensitivity and parallel-imagingperformance. The final two coils extend the innovative technology of thefirst three coils to multi-nuclear (³¹P-¹H) designs to make practicalhuman-cardiac imaging and spectroscopy possible for the first time at 7T.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,604,791, titled “ACTIVE TRANSMIT ELEMENTS FOR MRI COILSAND OTHER ANTENNA DEVICES,” filed 9 Sep. 2010 and issued 10 Dec. 2013 toJohn Thomas Vaughan, Jr and Charles A. Lemaire, is incorporated hereinby reference. This application describes apparatus and method thatinclude amplifiers for transceiver antenna elements, and morespecifically to power amplifying an RF (radio frequency) signal using adistributed power amplifier having electronic devices (such asfield-effect transistors) that are thermally and/or mechanicallyconnected to each one of a plurality of antenna elements (also calledcoil elements) to form a hybrid coil-amplifier (e.g., for use in amagnetic-resonance (MR) imaging or spectroscopy machine), and that isoptionally adjusted from a remote location, optionally includingremotely adjusting its gains, electrical resistances, inductances,and/or capacitances (which controls the magnitude, phase, frequency,spatial profile, and temporal profile of the RF signal)—and, in someembodiments, the components are compatible with, and function in, highfields (such as a magnetic field of up to and exceeding one tesla oreven ten tesla or more and/or an electric field of many thousands ofvolts per meter).

U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2012/0223709 titled “SIMULTANEOUSTX-RX FOR MRI SYSTEMS AND OTHER ANTENNA DEVICES,” of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/407,751 filed 28 Feb. 2012 by Scott M. Schillak,John Thomas Vaughan, Jr., Charles A. Lemaire and Matthew T. Waks, isincorporated herein by reference. This application describes anapparatus and a method that are more efficient and flexible, and obtainand connect high-power RF transmit signals (TX) to RF-coil devices in anMR machine or other devices and simultaneously receive signals (RX) andseparate net receive signals NRX) of interest by subtracting orfiltering to remove the subtractable portion of the transmit signal(STX) from the RX and preamplifying the NRX and signal processing thepreamplified NRX. In some embodiments, signal processing further removesartifacts of the transmitted signal, e.g., by digitizing the NRX signal,storing the digitized NRX signal in a memory, and performing digitalsignal processing. In some embodiments, the present invention alsoincludes pre-distorting the TX signals in order to be better able toidentify and/or remove the remaining artifacts of the transmitted signalfrom the NRX signal. This solution also applies to other high-powerRF-transmit-antennae signals.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/831,752 titled “SNAP-ON COAXIALCABLE BALUN AND METHOD FOR TRAPPING RF CURRENT ON OUTSIDE SHIELD OF COAXAFTER INSTALLATION,” filed 15 Mar. 2013 by Matthew T. Waks, Scott M.Schillak and Charles A. Lemaire, is incorporated herein by reference.This application describes an apparatus and a method for a radiallyattachable RF trap attached from a side to a shielded RF cable. In someembodiments, the RF trap creates a high impedance on the outer shield ofthe RF cable at a frequency of RF signals carried on at least one innerconductor of the cable. In some embodiments, an RF-trap apparatus forblocking stray signals on a shielded RF cable that has a peripheralshield conductor and a inner conductor for carrying RF signals includes:a case; an LC circuit having a resonance frequency equal to RF signalscarried on the inner conductor; projections that pierce and connect theLC circuit to the shield conductor; and an attachment device that holdsthe case to the cable with the LC circuit electrically connected to theshield conductor of the shielded RF cable.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,299,681 issued to Snyder, et al. on Oct. 30, 2012,titled “Remotely adjustable reactive and resistive electrical elementsand method,” and is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No.8,299,681 describes an apparatus and method that include providing avariable-parameter electrical component in a high-field environment andbased on an electrical signal, automatically moving a movable portion ofthe electrical component in relation to another portion of theelectrical component to vary at least one of its parameters. In someembodiments, the moving uses a mechanical movement device (e.g., alinear positioner, rotary motor, or pump). In some embodiments of themethod, the electrical component has a variable inductance, capacitance,and/or resistance. Some embodiments include using a computer thatcontrols the moving of the movable portion of the electrical componentin order to vary an electrical parameter of the electrical component.Some embodiments include using a feedback signal to provide feedbackcontrol in order to adjust and/or maintain the electrical parameter.Some embodiments include a non-magnetic positioner connected to anelectrical component configured to have its RLC parameters varied by thepositioner.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,206 to Lockwood issued Sep. 12, 1995 titled “Balland socket joint with internal stop” and is incorporated herein byreference. U. S. Pat. No. 6,042,155 to Lockwood issued Mar. 28, 2000titled “Ball and socket joint with internal stop” and is incorporatedherein by reference. These patents describe a first connector includesopposite ball and socket elements having a passageway formedtherethrough. The socket element has a cavity formed therein forreceiving a ball element of a second hose connector to form a hoseassembly. A ring is disposed within the cavity for limiting pivotalmovement of a ball element inserted therein to minimize the risk thatthe connectors, and thereby the hose assembly, will separate.

U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0166632 by Delp, et al. filed Jul. 8, 2009with the title “Materials and approaches for optical stimulation of theperipheral nervous system” is incorporated herein by reference. Thispublication describes methods, devices, systems and arrangements forstimulation of the peripheral nervous system. Consistent with oneembodiment of the present invention, method is implemented in whichlight-responsive channels or pumps are engineered in a set of motorunits that includes motor units of differing physical volumes. Opticalstimuli are also provided to the light-responsive channels or pumps atan optical intensity that is a function of the size of motor units to berecruited. In certain implementations, the intensity of the opticalstimuli is increased so as to recruit increasingly larger motor units.

U.S. Patent Publication 20060149337 by Michael John filed Jan. 20, 2006with the title “Systems and methods for tissue stimulation in medicaltreatment” is incorporated herein by reference. This publicationdescribes stimulation treatments for various medical disorders, such asneurological disorders, comprise novel systems, strategies, and methodsfor providing TMS, electrical, magnetic, optical and other stimulation.Some stimulation methods comprise varying the stimulation parameters toimprove the therapeutic efficacy of stimulation, and decrease risk ofhabituation and side-effects such as interference with normal brain,sensory, motor, and cognitive processes. The creation, and subsequentvariation, of stimulation parameters can use sensed data in order tomatch, adjust, or avoid matching characteristics of the stimulationtherapy relative to certain endogenous brain activities. Novel methodsare described for choosing, creating and subsequently stimulating withpartial signals which summate to produce therapeutic vector fieldshaving unique temporal patterns and low-or high-frequency spectralcontent.

There is a long-felt need for a method and apparatus for adjustableaudio delivery and head restraint in an MRI system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a solution: in some embodiments, a360-degree-plus adjustable cushioned patient-restraining patientinterface pieces integrated into an MRI coil. In some embodiments, theMRI coil is a pediatric head coil. In some other embodiments, the MRIcoil is a head coil for adults. In some embodiments, the adjustablecushioned head-restraining ear pieces include an audio-delivery systemintegrated into the MRI coil.

In some embodiments, the patient-restraining patient interface piecesinclude audio transducers. The adjustable cushioned audio system isdesigned to be used, in some embodiments, with a wide array ofpre-existing audio headphones. In some embodiments, the design of thepresent invention includes of a series of ball-and-socket mechanismsthat can be adjusted 360 degrees (in a combination of pitch and yawrelative to the longitudinal axis of the headphone-positioning rod) aswell as in-and-out along the longitudinal axis of theheadphone-positioning rod, and rotation around the longitudinal axis ofthe headphone-positioning rod in a roll direction, and then tightened inthe proper position. In some embodiments, the earpieces are affixed tothe proximal end of the headphone-positioning rods using aball-and-socket joint that facilitates orienting the earpieces toconform to the sides of the patient's head. The system is modular indesign and can be integrated into other MRI coil housings with slightmodifications to those housings and/or the parts as described herein. Insome embodiments, the system is designed with standard tapered threadingon the ball-holding units. This allows an operator to apply increasedfriction between moving parts to firmly lock or snug them securely inplace by tightening the locking collars, while the friction can beovercome to release the patient in an emergency. The system also acts asa dual-purpose adjustable head-constraining and/or-restraining devicethat can be used with or without audio being supplied, in that thecushioned head pieces are implemented without audio generation in someembodiments.

In other embodiments, the present invention includes a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly having RF coils, automatictune-and-match circuitry to tune the resonant frequency of the coils, afluid-circulation system to control temperature at the skin surface, asystem to deliver liquids to drink and/or gasses to breathe and/or drugsand/or anesthesia liquids and/or gasses, electrodes to stimulate and/ordetect nerve-action potentials and/or other physiological signals. Insome embodiments, the positionable cushioned patient-interface assemblyincludes one or more RF power amplifiers to amplify RF signals to betransmitted from RF coils in the positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly and/or one or more RF preamplifiers toamplify RF signals that have been received by the RF coils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a head-coil system 192that uses two adjustable cushioned earpiece assemblies 101R and 101L,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is another plan-view cross-sectional drawing of two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective-view partially exploded drawing of a head-coilsystem 392 that uses two adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 101Rand 101L, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view partially exploded and partiallytransparent drawing of a head-coil system 392 that uses two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged portion of a perspective-view partially explodedand partially transparent drawing of a head-coil system 192 that usestwo adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective-view partially exploded and partiallytransparent drawing of a head-coil system 392 that uses two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective-view drawing an adjustable cushionedhead-piece assembly 701, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B is a plan-view cross-sectional of adjustable cushionedhead-piece assembly 701, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective-view drawing of a head-coil system 891 thatuses one adjustable cushioned head-piece assembly 701, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8B is a perspective-view drawing of a portion of head-coil system891 that uses one adjustable cushioned head-piece assembly 701,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective-view drawing of head-coil system 992 that usestwo adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 701, according to someembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1001, according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1101, according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1201, according to some embodimentsof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Although the following detailed description contains many specifics forthe purpose of illustration, a person of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that many variations and alterations to the following detailsare within the scope of the invention. Specific examples are used toillustrate particular embodiments; however, the invention described inthe claims is not intended to be limited to only these examples, butrather includes the full scope of the attached claims. Accordingly, thefollowing preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth withoutany loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon theclaimed invention. Further, in the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawingsthat form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustrationspecific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It isunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The leading digit(s) of reference numbers appearing in the Figuresgenerally corresponds to the Figure number in which that component isfirst introduced, such that the same reference number is used throughoutto refer to an identical component which appears in multiple Figures.Signals and connections may be referred to by the same reference numberor label, and the actual meaning will be clear from its use in thecontext of the description.

As used herein, a non-magnetic mechanical-movement device is anyelectrically-controlled device (such as a linear positioner, rotarymotor, or pump) made of materials that do not move (or move to asubstantially negligible amount) due to a high magnetic field whensubjected to the high magnetic field. Such devices can be placed withinthe high magnetic field of a magnetic-resonance machine or thesuperconducting magnet of a particle accelerator without the danger ofthe device moving due to the magnetic field and/or without theundesirable result of changing the magnetic field due to their presence.In many of the descriptions herein, the term “motor” (such as motor1240) will be used as an example of such a non-magnetic mechanicalmovement device, however one of skill in the art will recognize that inother embodiments, the “motor” can be implemented as a linear or rotarymotor device using suitable linkages, or as a pump that uses a liquid orpneumatic fluid to effectuate the described movement.

FIG. 1 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a head-coil system 192that uses two adjustable cushioned earpiece assemblies 101R and 101L,according to some embodiments of the present invention. The presentinvention includes or is used with an MRI head coil 99. In someembodiments, head coil 99 is sized for pediatric-patient use, includinginfants, children or small adults. Such patients are often fearful,fidgety, and restless, and the earpiece assemblies (e.g., 101L and 101Rin FIG. 1, 701 in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8 and 9) help to hold the patient's headin a fixed location. In some embodiments, head coil 99 is of aconventional adult-head size. In some embodiments, the earpieceassemblies 101L, 101R, and/or 701 include audio transducers forproviding audio to the patient. In some other embodiments, the earpieceassemblies 101L, 101R, and/or 701 receive audio delivered throughplastic tubing connected to the earpiece, where the audio is from one ormore remote audio transducers.

In some embodiments, each of the assemblies 101R and 101L includes acushioned earpiece 110 and an earpiece-position-adjustment assembly 120.In some embodiments, each earpiece-position-adjustment assembly 120includes a tightenable ball-and-socket joint that includes ball unit123, and a tightenable socket assembly that includes a female-threadedsocket portion 124 and a male-threaded socket portion 125. In someembodiments, the male-threaded socket portion 125 is attached tohead-coil recess 126 (e.g., in some embodiments, using polymer screws,while in other embodiments, adhesives or other fastening means areused). Tightening female-threaded socket portion 124 to male-threadedsocket portion 125 releasably locks the pitch-and-yaw orientation ofball unit 123. By partially tightening female-threaded socket portion124 to male-threaded socket portion 125, a sufficient force applied fromthe head of the patient will overcome the friction lock and allow thepitch-and-yaw orientation to move, for example, for patient comfort oremergency extraction of the patient from the restraint. In someembodiments, ball unit 123 has a slotted male-thread portion that clampson rod 121 to restrain the in-and-out motion of rod 121 whenfemale-threaded nut 122 is tightened. In some embodiments, a furtherball-and-socket joint is provided at the end of the rod that is proximalto earpiece 110; for example, in some embodiments, by ball 111 andsocket 115. In some embodiments, each earpiece 110 includes an audiodelivery system that provides audio to the patient to calm and/orentertain the patient and/or communicate from the operator to thepatient. In other embodiments, each earpiece 110 is used to justrestrain head movement of the patient and omits the audio deliverysystem. In some embodiments, the pieces of earpiece-position-adjustmentassembly 120 are made of a polymer, such as for example, a polycarbonate(e.g., Lexan® or the like). In some embodiments, the tightenablefemale-threaded socket portion 124 and nut 122 are faceted (e.g., with astandard nut-faces in a hexagonal pattern), or have finger-tightenablewings (such as used in wing nuts) or the like.

FIG. 2A is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of two adjustablecushioned earpiece assemblies (also called, more generically,positionable cushioned patient interface assemblies) 101R and 101L,according to some embodiments of the present invention. The variousparts of cushioned earpiece assemblies 101R and 101L are described abovein the discussion of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, assembly 140 in eachpositionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 101R and 101L includesone or more audio transducers. In some embodiments, assembly 140 in eachpositionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 101R and 101L includesone or more RF coils for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals forthe MRI process. In some embodiments, each positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 101R and 101L includes one or more RF poweramplifiers for the transmit signals. In some embodiments, eachpositionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 101R and 101L includesone or more RF preamplifiers for the receive signals.

FIG. 2B is another plan-view cross-sectional drawing of two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The various parts of cushionedearpiece assemblies 101R and 101L are described above in the discussionof FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective-view partially exploded drawing of a head-coilsystem 392 that uses two adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 101Rand 101L, according to some embodiments of the present invention. Thevarious parts of cushioned earpiece assemblies 101R and 101L aredescribed above in the discussion of FIG. 1. Many of the various partsof cushioned earpiece assemblies 101R and 101L are described above inthe discussion of FIG. 1. Additionally, in contrast to head-coil system192, some embodiments of head-coil system 392 include a minor 315 (fordelivering visual information to the patient) that is positionable andrepositionable to a variety of locations and orientation angles usingplastic flexible-piping units 314 that are stiff enough to hold minor315 in the position fixed by an operator of the system. In someembodiments, flexible-piping units 314 include Loc-Line modular hosepieces such as are available from Lockwood Products, Lake Oswego, Oreg.(or described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,042,155 and 5,449,206, which areincorporated herein by reference). In some embodiments, the proximal endof rod 121 and its mating connector on earpiece 110 include Loc-Linemodular connector pieces such as are available from Lockwood Products,Lake Oswego, Oreg. (or described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,042,155 and5,449,206, which are incorporated herein by reference). In someembodiments, head coil 99 includes a top coil piece 344 which connectsto the other coil pieces 345, 346 and 347. In some embodiments, at asuitable location on coil face 91, a receptacle 126 is formed to receivethe base of male-threaded socket portion 125. In some embodiments, headcoil 99 includes a left-hand-side recess 348 and a right-hand-siderecess 349 that are sized to provide adequate clearance for earpieces110, in order that the earpieces 110 can be moved into proper positionagainst the ears of the patients as may be encountered in differentlocations due to different-sized heads. In some embodiments, rods 121are manually moved by the MRI operator to the desired/proper positions,and then the angle is fixed by tightening nut 124 and the depth to thepatient's ear is fixed by tightening nut 122. In some embodiments, thesetwo nuts provide a suitable amount of friction to hold rod in place upto a certain predetermined amount of applied force, but the frictionwill allow the angle and/or depth to be changed by an excess oradditional amount of force, in order to release the patient inemergencies. Head coil 99 includes a head rest surface 340 that supportsthe back of the patient's head.

FIG. 4 is a perspective-view partially exploded and partiallytransparent drawing of a head-coil system 192 that uses two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The various parts shown in FIG. 4are described above in the discussion of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged portion of a perspective-view partially explodedand partially transparent drawing of a head-coil system 192 that usestwo adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, accordingto some embodiments of the present invention. The various parts shown inFIG. 5 are described above in the discussion of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective-view partially exploded and partiallytransparent drawing of a head-coil system 192 that uses two adjustablecushioned head-piece assemblies 101R and 101L, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The various parts shown in FIG. 6are described above in the discussion of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective-view drawing an adjustable cushionedhead-piece assembly 701, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention. The various parts shown in FIG. 7A and 7B are described abovein the discussion of FIGS. 1-3.

FIG. 7B is a plan-view cross-sectional of adjustable cushionedhead-piece assembly 701, according to some embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8A is a perspective-view drawing of a head-coil system 891 thatuses a single adjustable cushioned head-piece assembly 701, according tosome embodiments of the present invention. The various parts shown inFIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are described above in the discussion of FIGS. 1-3and 7A-7B. In some embodiments, the single adjustable cushionedhead-piece assembly 701 holds only one side of the head of the patient,while the opposite side can be supported or cushioned in a conventionalmanner such as by using a pillow. This may be better suited for patientswith various types of head trauma or disease. In some embodiments, thehead-piece assembly 701 for the side opposite the single remainingassembly 701 is simply removed by loosening both nuts 122 and 124 (and,depending on the embodiment, by removing a rubber tip or otherattachment at the distal end of rod 121) and pulling the assembly 701toward the middle of head coil 891. (Note that in FIG. 8A, a cover hasbeen placed over receptacle 126 on the far side of the coil 891.)

FIG. 8B is another perspective-view drawing of a portion of head-coilsystem 891 that uses one adjustable cushioned head-piece assembly 701,according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective-view drawing of head-coil system 992 that usestwo adjustable cushioned head-piece assemblies 701, according to someembodiments of the present invention. The various parts shown in FIG. 9are described above in the discussion of FIGS. 1-3 and 7A-7B. In someembodiments, head-coil system 992 omits the visual-stimulation assembly(e.g., minor 315 of FIG. 3 is omitted).

FIG. 10 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1001, according to some embodimentsof the present invention. The various parts of positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1001 are described above in the discussion ofFIG. 1. In some embodiments, assembly 1012 in positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1001 includes one or more audio transducersconfigured to output sound to the patient through earhole 1014. In someembodiments, assembly 1040 in positionable cushioned patient-interfaceassembly 1001 includes one or more RF coils for transmitting and/orreceiving RF signals for the MRI process. In some embodiments,positionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 1001 includes one ormore RF power amplifiers (see block 1161 of FIG. 11) for the transmitsignals. In some embodiments, positionable cushioned patient-interfaceassembly 1001 includes one or more RF preamplifiers (see block 1162 ofFIG. 11) for pre-amplifying the weak receive signals. In someembodiments, one or more co-axial cables 1041 deliver RF signals to betransmitted and optionally power for the RF power amplifiers and/or RFpreamplifiers from the MRI console (not shown here, but well known inthe art) to the positionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 1001,and the received RF signals from positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1001 that are sent back out to the MRIconsole. In some embodiments, a hollow rod 1021 is used for getting thecables from outside and going into interface housing 1010. In someembodiments, interface housing 1010 includes cushions 1011 for patientcomfort as interface housing 1010 of positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1001 is pressed against the tissue of thepatient being examined. In some embodiments, interface housing 1010includes a passageway 1030 (e.g., serpentine or helical or othersuitable topology, where here the cross-sectional openings for fourportions of a single passageway 1030 (which extends from the connectionat the top of the upper tube 1031 to the bottom of the lower tube 1031)are shown) for circulating fluids that are supplied from oneinput/output tube 1031 and returned through the other input/output tube1031. The fluids circulating in passageway 1030 are used for temperaturecontrol (e.g., in some embodiments, to cool the patient and remove atleast some of the heat deposited in the patient's tissue by the RFsignal (and, in certain circumstances, power from the gradient fieldcoils (not shown here, but well known in the art). In some embodiments,the tubing 1031 and the RF coax 1041 are flexible such that they bend asneeded as they cross between end 115 of rod 1021 and the received 111 ofhousing 1010. Other parts are as described above for FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A.

FIG. 11 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1101, according to some embodimentsof the present invention. In some embodiments, positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1101 includes some or all of the features ofpositionable cushioned patient-interface assembly 1001 (FIG. 10) and/orincludes some or all of the features of positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1201 (FIG. 12), as well as some or all of thefeatures shown in FIG. 11. In some embodiments, positionable cushionedpatient-interface assembly 1101 includes a rod 1021 that has embeddedwithin it one or more electrical power conductors and/or one or moresignal conductors (which, in some embodiments, are either electricalconductors or optical fibers or both for transmitting (e.g., signalconductor 1165) or receiving (e.g., signal conductor 1166) or bothtransmitting and receiving (e.g., signal conductor 1151) signals). Insome embodiments, signals on conductor 1152 (which can be electrical,optical, or both) are used to either stimulate the patient's tissue ordetect signals from the patient's tissue or both stimulate and detectsignals in the tissue. In some embodiments, a plurality ofskin-interface electrodes 1151 is connected to electrode preamplifier1150. In other embodiments, rather than electrodes and electricalsignals, an optical fiber interface to the patient's tissue is used toconvey optical signals to or from the patient (e.g., such as describedin U.S. Patent Publication 2011/0166632 by Delp, et al. and/or U.S.Patent Application Publication 2006/0149337 A1 by John).

FIG. 12 is a plan-view cross-sectional drawing of a positionablecushioned patient-interface assembly 1201, according to some embodimentsof the present invention. In some embodiments, assembly 1201 includes amotor 1240 that can be activated from the remote console to extend orretract the housing 1210 toward or away from the patient during the MRIprocedure without the need for an operator to approach the MRI magnet orthe patient. In some embodiments, motor 1240 is affixed within rod 1221,and includes a linear actuator that extends or withdraws the socket end1215 relative to the left end of rod 1221. In addition or alternatively,some embodiments include delivery tubes 1251 and/or 1252 for deliveringliquids or gasses to the patient (e.g., in some embodiments, to drink orsmell for fMRI (functional MRI) procedures; in other embodiments,pharmaceuticals or anesthetics can be administered to the patient duringthe procedure.

Note that in some embodiments, any feature described or shown herein(e.g., all of FIGS. 1-12) can be and are combined with one or more otherfeatures described or shown herein. For simplicity and ease ofunderstanding, fewer than all features possible are shown in eachFigure.

In some embodiments, a positionable cushioned patient-interface assemblyof the present invention (e.g., any of FIGS. 1-12) can be used within aframe for positioning, holding and/or pressing against other body parts,such as wrist, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip or other body part.

In some embodiments, the system of the present invention includes a rodconnected to a head coil by a lockable ball joint, and an earpiececonnected to the rod by another ball joint.

In some embodiments, the one or more non-magnetic (e.g., piezoelectric)motors actuate control over electrical switches, amplitude modulators,frequency controllers, phase controllers, gain controllers, frequencymodulators and the like by using, for example, control of variableresistor(s), inductor(s), capacitor(s), antenna(s), dielectric shape(s),mechanical positioner(s) and the like.

In some embodiments, the system uses non-magnetic (e.g., piezoelectric)motors (or other mechanical-movement devices) that include linearactuators, rotary actuators, pumps (pneumatic (pressure or vacuum)and/or liquid pumps) and/or the like. In some embodiments, the systemoptionally includes non-magnetic sensors (e.g., using piezoelectric orother suitable technologies) that include linear strain gauges, rotarysensors, pressure or sound sensors (e.g., pneumatic (pressure or vacuum)and/or liquid), position sensors, light and image sensors, voltage orcurrent sensors, and/or the like. In some embodiments, such actuatorelements and/or sensor elements are used for remotely controlled roboticdiagnosis and examination, surgery, biopsy, and the like in a medicalenvironment (such as a magnetic-resonance machine).

In some embodiments, the present invention includes one or more of anyone or more of the devices in any of the figures herein in a combinedunit that connects the described variable components, optionallyincluding other conventional components.

Some embodiments further include an automatic parameter-adjustment unitoperatively coupled to the LC circuit and configured to adjustelectrical parameters of the LC circuit to control the resonancefrequency of the LC circuit.

Some embodiments further include an automatic parameter-adjustment unitthat has a non-magnetic mechanical actuator operatively coupled to theLC circuit and configured to adjust electrical parameters of the LCcircuit to control the resonance frequency of the LC circuit.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method thatincludes: providing a case having an LC circuit that is mounted to thecase and that has a resonance frequency at a frequency of RF signalscarried on the at least one inner conductor; a piercing structureelectrically connected to the LC circuit and configured to pierce andelectrically connect the LC circuit to the shield conductor of theshielded RF cable; and an attachment device configured to hold the caseto the shielded RF cable with the LC circuit electrically connected tothe shield conductor of the shielded RF cable.

Some embodiments further include automatically adjusting electricalparameters of the LC circuit to adjust the resonance frequency.

Some embodiments further include automatically adjusting electricalparameters of the LC circuit to adjust the resonance frequency by movinga non-magnetic mechanical-movement device.

In some embodiments of the method, the plurality of projectionselectrically connected to the LC circuit include a first plurality ofpointed projections at a first end of the case and a second plurality ofpointed projections at a second end of the case opposite the first.

In some embodiments of the method, the plurality of projectionselectrically connected to the LC circuit include a first plurality ofpointed projections at a first end of the case and a second plurality ofpointed projections at a second end of the case opposite the first,wherein each one of the first plurality of pointed projections iscapacitively coupled to a cylindrical conductor spaced apart from theshield conductor of the shielded RF cable, and wherein each one of thesecond plurality of pointed projections is capacitively coupled to thecylindrical conductor.

In some embodiments of the method, the plurality of projectionselectrically connected to the LC circuit include a first plurality ofpointed projections only at a first end of the case and no pointedprojections at a second end of the case opposite the first, and the LCcircuit includes a conductive cylinder that is electrically connected tofirst plurality of pointed projections only at a first end of the case.

In some embodiments of the method, the LC circuit includes a pluralityof pi networks arranged at different radial directions around theshielded RF cable.

In some embodiments, the LC circuit includes a plurality of Tee networksarranged at different radial directions around the shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments of the method, the LC circuit includes a pluralityof quad-coupler networks arranged at different radial directions aroundthe shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments of the method, the LC circuit includes a pluralityof Wilkenson power-splitter-combiner networks arranged at differentradial directions around the shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments of the method, the LC circuit includes a pluralityof rat-race-coupler networks arranged at different radial directionsaround the shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a radiallyattachable RF trap attached from a side to a shielded RF cable. In someembodiments, the RF trap creates a high impedance on the outer shield ofthe RF cable at a frequency of RF signals carried on at least one innerconductor of the cable. In some embodiments, an RF-trap apparatus forblocking stray signals on a shielded RF cable that has a peripheralshield conductor and a inner conductor for carrying RF signals includes:a case; an LC circuit having a resonance frequency equal to RF signalscarried on the inner conductor; projections that pierce and connect theLC circuit to the shield conductor; and an attachment device that holdsthe case to the cable with the LC circuit electrically connected to theshield conductor of the shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium having instructions stored thereon for causinga suitably programmed information processor to execute a method thatcomprises: autocontrolling an electrical parameter of an LC circuit thatis mounted to a case of a snap-on balun attached to a shielded RF cablethat has a peripheral shield conductor and at least one inner conductorfor carrying RF signals, wherein the LC circuit has a resonancefrequency at a frequency of RF signals carried on the at least one innerconductor, wherein the case includes a piercing structure electricallyconnected to the LC circuit and configured to pierce and electricallyconnect the LC circuit to the shield conductor of the shielded RF cable.

In some embodiments of the computer-readable medium, the method furtherincludes using a feedback signal operatively coupled to the programmableinformation-processing device to provide feedback control in order tomaintain the electrical parameter of the LC circuit.

In some embodiments of the computer-readable medium, the method furtherincludes controlling resistance, inductance and capacitance (RLC) valuesof the LC circuit.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus forholding a patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system. Thisapparatus includes: a first MRI-compatible earpiece assembly, the firstearpiece assembly including a rod connected to a head coil by a firstlockable ball joint and an earpiece connected to a proximal end of therod by a second ball joint, wherein the rod is moveably positioned to aselected one of a plurality of possible pitch and yaw angle combinationsof the rod relative to the head coil and to a selected one of aplurality of insertion depths relative to the head coil, and then thefirst ball joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the rodat the selected pitch angle, yaw angle and insertion depth.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further includes: the head coil; anda second MRI-compatible earpiece assembly, wherein the secondMRI-compatible earpiece assembly is substantially similar to the firstMRI-compatible earpiece assembly but mirror-symmetric to the firstMRI-compatible earpiece assembly about a central plane of the head coil,and wherein the first and the second MRI-compatible earpiece assembliesare attached to the head coil by their respective first ball joints.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first and the secondMRI-compatible earpiece assemblies each include an audio transducerconfigured to deliver audio content to a patient in the head coil.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, at least one of the earpieceassemblies includes one or more RF coils for transmitting RF MRIsignals.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, at least one of the earpieceassemblies includes one or more RF coils for receiving RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, at least one of the earpieceassemblies includes one or more RF coils for both transmitting andreceiving RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first earpiece assemblyincludes one or more RF coils for both transmitting and receiving RF MRIsignals.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first earpiece assemblyincludes one or more RF coils for transmitting RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the first earpiece assemblyincludes one or more RF coils for receiving RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for holdinga patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system, the methodcomprising: providing a first MRI-compatible earpiece assembly, thefirst earpiece assembly including a rod connected to a head coil by afirst lockable ball joint and an earpiece connected to a proximal end ofthe rod by a second ball joint; positioning the first MRI-compatibleearpiece to a selected one of a plurality of possible pitch and yawangle combinations of the rod relative to the head coil and to aselected one of a plurality of insertion depths relative to the headcoil; and tightening the first ball joint to yieldably hold the rod atthe selected pitch angle, yaw angle, and insertion depth.

Some embodiments of the method further include providing the head coil,and a second MRI-compatible earpiece assembly, wherein the secondMRI-compatible earpiece assembly is substantially similar to the firstMRI-compatible earpiece assembly but mirror-symmetric to the firstMRI-compatible earpiece assembly about a central plane of the head coil,and attaching the first and the second MRI-compatible earpieceassemblies to the head coil by their respective first ball joints.

Some embodiments of the method further include delivering audio contentto a patient in the head coil through the first and the secondMRI-compatible earpiece assemblies.

Some embodiments of the method further include transmitting RF MRIsignals from the first earpiece assembly.

Some embodiments of the method further include receiving RF MRI signalsfrom the first earpiece assembly.

Some embodiments of the method further include transmitting andreceiving RF MRI signals from the first earpiece assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus forimaging a patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system. Thisapparatus includes: a first MRI-compatible positionablepatient-interface assembly, the first assembly including a positioningrod configured to be connected to a frame by a first lockable joint anda housing connected to a proximal end of the rod by a second joint,wherein the rod is moveably positioned to a selected one of a pluralityof possible pitch-and-yaw-angle combinations of the rod relative to theframe and to a selected one of a plurality of insertion depths relativeto the frame, and wherein the first joint is configured to be tightenedto yieldably hold the rod at the selected pitch angle, yaw angle andinsertion depth.

Some embodiments further include the frame, wherein the frame includes acoil frame with a coil; and a second MRI-compatible positionablepatient-interface assembly, wherein the second assembly is substantiallysimilar to the first assembly but minor-symmetric to the first assemblyabout a central plane of the coil frame, and wherein the first and thesecond MRI-compatible assemblies are attached to the coil frame by theirrespective first joints.

In some embodiments, the first positionable assembly includes a fluidcirculation passageway configured to circulate a fluid within the firstpositionable assembly to control a temperature of a patient.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes oneor more RF coils to both transmit and receive RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes amotor interfaced to the positioning rod to controllably extend andwithdraw and end of the positionable patient-interface assembly.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes oneor more skin-contact electrodes configured to receive electrical signalsfrom a tissue of a patient and conduct the signals through thepositioning rod.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes oneor more liquid-delivery tubes configured to deliver a liquid to apatient through the positioning rod.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes oneor more gas-delivery tubes configured to deliver a gas to a patientthrough the positioning rod.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes aplurality of RF cables for both transmitting and receiving RF MRIsignals through the positioning rod.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides a method for imaginga patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system. This methodincludes: providing a first MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly,the first patient-interface assembly including a rod that is connectedto a frame by a first lockable joint and an patient interface connectedto a proximal end of the rod by a second joint; positioning the firstMRI-compatible patient-interface to a selected one of a plurality ofpossible pitch-and-yaw-angle combinations of the rod relative to theframe and to a selected one of a plurality of insertion depths relativeto the frame; and tightening the first joint to yieldably hold the rodat the selected pitch angle, yaw angle, and insertion depth.

Some embodiments of the method further include providing the frame,wherein the frame holds a coil, providing a second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assembly, wherein the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assembly is substantially similar to the firstMRI-compatible patient-interface assembly but minor-symmetric to thefirst MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly about a central plane ofthe coil, and attaching the first and the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assemblies to the coil by their respective firstjoints.

Some embodiments of the method further include delivering audio contentto a patient in the coil through the first and the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assemblies.

Some embodiments of the method further include transmitting RF MRIsignals from the first patient-interface assembly.

Some embodiments of the method further include receiving RF MRI signalsby the first patient-interface assembly.

Some embodiments of the method further include transmitting andreceiving RF MRI signals from the first patient-interface assembly.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides an apparatus forimaging a patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system. Thisapparatus includes: a frame configured to be positioned in a bore of anMRI magnet of the MRI system; and a first MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assembly, the first patient-interface assemblyincluding a patient-interface positioner configured to be connected to areference position on the frame; a first lockable joint on thepositioner; and a patient interface connected to a proximal end of thepositioner by a second joint on the positioner, wherein the firstpatient interface is moveably positioned to a selected pitch angle and aselected yaw angle of a plurality of possible pitch-and-yaw-anglecombinations of the patient interface relative to the reference positionon the frame and to a selected one of a plurality of distances relativeto the reference position on the frame, and wherein the first lockablejoint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patientinterface at the selected pitch angle, the selected yaw angle, and theselected one of the plurality of distances, relative to the referenceposition on the frame.

In some embodiments, the frame includes a coil frame with a coil; and asecond MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly, wherein the secondMRI-compatible patient-interface assembly is substantially similar tothe first MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly, and wherein thefirst and the second MRI-compatible patient-interface assemblies areattached to the coil frame by their respective first lockable joints.

In some embodiments, the first and the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assemblies each include an audio transducer configuredto deliver audio content to a patient in the coil.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes oneor more RF coils for transducing RF MRI signals.

In some embodiments, the first patient-interface assembly includes amotor interfaced to the positioning rod to controllably extend andwithdraw and end of the positionable patient-interface assembly.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. Although numerous characteristics andadvantages of various embodiments as described herein have been setforth in the foregoing description, together with details of thestructure and function of various embodiments, many other embodimentsand changes to details will be apparent to those of skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention shouldbe, therefore, determined with reference to the appended claims, alongwith the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Inthe appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used asthe plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and“wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and“third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to imposenumerical requirements on their objects.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for imaging a patient in amagnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system, the apparatus comprising: afirst MRI-compatible positionable patient-interface assembly, the firstassembly including a positioning rod configured to be connected to aframe by a first lockable joint and a housing connected to a proximalend of the rod by a second joint, wherein the rod is moveably positionedto a selected one of a plurality of possible pitch-and-yaw-anglecombinations of the rod relative to the frame and to a selected one of aplurality of insertion depths relative to the frame, and wherein thefirst joint is configured to be tightened to yieldably hold the rod atthe selected pitch angle, yaw angle and insertion depth.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the frame, wherein the frameincludes a coil frame with a coil; and a second MRI-compatiblepositionable patient-interface assembly, wherein the second assembly issubstantially similar to the first assembly but mirror-symmetric to thefirst assembly about a central plane of the coil frame, and wherein thefirst and the second MRI-compatible assemblies are attached to the coilframe by their respective first joints.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first positionable assembly includes a fluid circulationpassageway configured to circulate a fluid within the first positionableassembly to control a temperature of a patient.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first patient-interface assembly includes one ormore RF coils to both transmit and receive RF MRI signals.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first patient-interface assemblyincludes a motor interfaced to the positioning rod to controllablyextend and withdraw and end of the positionable patient-interfaceassembly.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the firstpatient-interface assembly includes one or more skin-contact electrodesconfigured to receive electrical signals from a tissue of a patient andconduct the signals through the positioning rod.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the first patient-interface assembly includes one ormore liquid-delivery tubes configured to deliver a liquid to a patientthrough the positioning rod.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefirst patient-interface assembly includes one or more gas-delivery tubesconfigured to deliver a gas to a patient through the positioning rod. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first patient-interface assemblyincludes a plurality of RF cables for both transmitting and receiving RFMRI signals through the positioning rod.
 10. A method for imaging apatient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system, the methodcomprising: providing a first MRI-compatible patient-interface assembly,the first patient-interface assembly including a rod that is connectedto a frame by a first lockable joint and an patient interface connectedto a proximal end of the rod by a second joint; positioning the firstMRI-compatible patient-interface to a selected one of a plurality ofpossible pitch-and-yaw-angle combinations of the rod relative to theframe and to a selected one of a plurality of insertion depths relativeto the frame; and tightening the first joint to yieldably hold the rodat the selected pitch angle, yaw angle, and insertion depth.
 11. Themethod of claim 10, further comprising: providing the frame, wherein theframe holds a coil, providing a second MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassembly, wherein the second MRI-compatible patient-interface assemblyis substantially similar to the first MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassembly but mirror-symmetric to the first MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assembly about a central plane of the coil, andattaching the first and the second MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassemblies to the coil by their respective first joints.
 12. The methodof claim 10, further comprising delivering audio content to a patient inthe coil through the first and the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assemblies.
 13. The method of claim 10, furthercomprising transmitting RF MRI signals from the first patient-interfaceassembly.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising receiving RFMRI signals by the first patient-interface assembly.
 15. The method ofclaim 10, further comprising transmitting and receiving RF MRI signalsfrom the first patient-interface assembly.
 16. An apparatus for imaginga patient in a magnetic-resonance imager (MRI) system, the apparatuscomprising: a frame configured to be positioned in a bore of an MRImagnet of the MRI system; and a first MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassembly, the first patient-interface assembly including apatient-interface positioner configured to be connected to a referenceposition on the frame; a first lockable joint on the positioner; and apatient interface connected to a proximal end of the positioner by asecond joint on the positioner, wherein the first patient interface ismoveably positioned to a selected pitch angle and a selected yaw angleof a plurality of possible pitch-and-yaw-angle combinations of thepatient interface relative to the reference position on the frame and toa selected one of a plurality of distances relative to the referenceposition on the frame, and wherein the first lockable joint isconfigured to be tightened to yieldably hold the first patient interfaceat the selected pitch angle, the selected yaw angle, and the selectedone of the plurality of distances, relative to the reference position onthe frame.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the frame includes acoil frame with a coil; and a second MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassembly, wherein the second MRI-compatible patient-interface assemblyis substantially similar to the first MRI-compatible patient-interfaceassembly, and wherein the first and the second MRI-compatiblepatient-interface assemblies are attached to the coil frame by theirrespective first lockable joints.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, whereinthe first and the second MRI-compatible patient-interface assemblieseach include an audio transducer configured to deliver audio content toa patient in the coil.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the firstpatient-interface assembly includes one or more RF coils for transducingRF MRI signals.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the firstpatient-interface assembly includes a motor interfaced to thepositioning rod to controllably extend and withdraw and end of thepositionable patient-interface assembly.